The polychronion for a tsar Mikhail Romanov in Demestvenny chants by masters of Usolsky (Stroganov) school

The Polychronion for a sovereign was a part of court and church ceremonial culture of Old Russia. The authors study two variants of the Polychronion for the tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov created by UsolskyStroganov masters and written in solemn style Demestvo. The first chant was recorded by simple znamenny script, the second one by a new demestvenny script. The comparison of chants created by masters from other regions shows that differences in singing prevail over similarities so much that enable us to consider Usolsky works as unique and original. The first chant is extensive having an advanced but a reserved melismatic. The second variant is not so extensive and can be referred to a small demestvenny style. The chants confirm that Stroganov masters had a perfect knowledge of Demestvo. They could even create their own works. The research is dedicated to 400th Anniversary of the Romanov House.